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Fact Check: Not Quite 100 Million Selling "Thriller"

World Records Groups Says Michael Jackson Still Rules

POSTED: 8:37 am MDT June 30, 2009
UPDATED: 10:39 am MDT June 30, 2009

Even after his death, Michael Jackson's legacy lives on and the singer may hold several prominent records for years to come.

Top-selling album, top earnings in a single year, most Grammys in one year, and most successful family...it could only be Jackson.

Michael Jackson still sits on top of some major accomplishment measures, according to the Guinness world record folks in New York.

Below is a list of those records with comments by Jamie Panas, at the Guinness Wolrd Records offices on west 45th street in NYC:

Best Selling Album

The year 2007 marked the 25th anniversary of the first release of Michael Jackson’s (USA) "Thriller" in 1982. Estimations from Sony and the Recording Industry Association of America put sales at over 55 million copies, although Jackson’s management claims that international sales have pushed the total global figure to over 100 million. While it is impossible to verify the final global sales, there is no doubt that it remains the biggest-selling album of all time.

Highest Annual Earnings for a Pop Star

The highest annual earnings for a pop star ever is $125 million by Michael Jackson, who topped the Forbes list in 1989 as the highest-paid entertainer.

Best Selling Music Video

The Making of Michael Jackson's "Thriller", released in December 1983, is the largest-selling music video ever, with more than 900,000 units sold.

Most Expensive Music Video

Winning the MTV Music Video Award for Dance in 1995 and the Grammy for Music Video, Short Form in 1996, the video was shot on seven different sound stages and featured flying electric guitars and complex morphing effects.

Most Grammy Awards Won by Single Individual in One Year

At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Michael Jackson won as writer for Best New Rhythm and Blues Song ("Billie Jean"), as artist for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male ('Beat It'), as artist for Best Recording for Children ('E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial'), as artist for Record Of The Year ('Beat It'), as artist and producer for Album Of The Year ('Thriller'), as artist for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male ('Thriller'), jointly with Quincy Jones for Producer Of The Year, and as artist for Best RB Vocal Performance, Male ('Billie Jean').

Most UK Hit Singles in One Year

In 2006, Michael Jackson reached the UK Top 40 chart with 19 singles. All were reissues of previous hits.

Most Successful Family -- Pop Music

Between them, the Jackson family members have scored 26 US No.1 singles -- 13 by Michael, nine by Janet and four by the Jacksons.

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